Jakub M. Niebylski | Institute of Archaeology and Ethnology Polish Academy of Sciences (original) (raw)
Papers by Jakub M. Niebylski
Sprawozdania Archeologiczne 76/2, 2024
The paper discusses a previously unknown earthwork of a fortification of the First World War foun... more The paper discusses a previously unknown earthwork of a fortification of the First World War found in the investigation of a barrow at Site 3 in Prawda in Raciborowice (Kraków district). The discovery consisted of a fortified strongpoint for all around defence enclosing the top of the barrow. It was built by the Russian troops during the offensive on Kraków from November to December 1914, after the strategic retreat of the Austro-Hungarian army towards the south, under the cover of the fortress artillery, ending the Battle of Kraków. The paper fills the gap in knowledge about the combat taking place between the Battle of Kraków and the battles on the right bank of the Vistula River, enabling the reconstruction of those events and giving insight into the material culture of the soldiers participating in them.
Notae Numismaticae – Zapiski Numizmatyczne 18, 2023
EN: The “Sztygarka” Municipal Museum in Dąbrowa Górnicza houses a collection of early medieval we... more EN: The “Sztygarka” Municipal Museum in Dąbrowa Górnicza houses a collection of early medieval weights and lead objects recently discovered in the border area of Dąbrowa Górnicza, Chruszczobród and Chruszczobród-Piaski in Zawiercie district. They are discussed here for the first time. The paper presents the current state of research on silver and lead smelting in the early Middle Ages in the area now at the borderlands of Upper Silesia and Lesser Poland and offers a broader perspective on early medieval lead weights. As a result of the analysis of the artefacts, it has been proposed to introduce a new type of weights to the typology currently in use. Attention is also drawn to a technological aspect previously unreported in the literature, namely a hole in one of the weights for fixing a stabiliser for the core of a casting mould. Based on morphometric features and deformations of the surface, it is also suggested that one of the artefacts may have been used as a metalworking hammer. The results of the analysis carried out make it possible to discuss the collection against the backdrop of other recent discoveries of lead weights in Poland and to present the archaeological context and diverse nature of this category of sources. /
PL: W Muzeum Miejskim „Sztygarka” w Dąbrowie Górniczej znajduje się zbiór ciężarków i wyrobów ołowianych datowanych na wczesne średniowiecze. Zostały one odkryte w ostatnim czasie na pograniczu Dąbrowy Górniczej, Chruszczobrodu i Chruszczobrodu-Piasków, pow. zawierciański, numery arkuszy AZP 94-50 i 95-50. Niniejszy artykuł jest pierwszą publikacją poświęconą temu zbiorowi wyrobów. Przedstawiono w nim aktualny stan badań nad hutnictwem srebra i ołowiu we wczesnym średniowieczu na terenie obecnego pogranicza Górnego Śląska i Małopolski oraz tło problematyki ciężarków ołowianych. W wyniku przeprowadzonej analizy zabytków scharakteryzowano ten zbiór i zaproponowano wprowadzenie do wykorzystywanej typologii nowej odmiany typu ciężarków. Zwrócono także uwagę na nieporuszaną dotychczas w literaturze cechę technologiczną – otwór w jednym z ciężarków służący do mocowania rdzenia formy odlewniczej. Ponadto na podstawie poczynionych obserwacji cech morfometrycznych oraz odkształceń powstałych na powierzchni jednego z ciężarków wskazano na możliwość wykorzystywania go jako młotka do obróbki metalu. Wyniki przeprowadzonej analizy posłużyły do prezentacji całego zbioru na tle innych nowych odkryć ciężarków ołowianych w Polsce, ukazując ich kontekst archeologiczny i wskazując na jego zróżnicowany charakter.
Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports, 2024
This article presents a double burial from Czulice indicating elements of the Hunnic culture. Ind... more This article presents a double burial from Czulice indicating elements of the Hunnic culture. Individual I, aged 7–9, and Individual II, aged 8–9 with a skull deformation, were both genetically identified as boys. Individual II, who exhibited genetic affinity to present day Asian populations, was equipped with gold and silver items. In contrast, Individual I displayed European ancestry. The application of strontium isotope analysis shed light on the origins of the individuals. Individual I was non-local, while Individual II was identified as a local, but also falling within the range commonly associated with the Pannonian Plain. Stable isotope analysis suggested a diet consisting of inland resources. Through radiocarbon dating, this burial was determined to date back to the years 395–418 CE, making it the earliest grave of its kind discovered in Poland. The analyses have provided new insights into the nature of the relationship between the Huns and the local inhabitants.
Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports, 2024
This article presents a double burial from Czulice indicating elements of the Hunnic culture. Ind... more This article presents a double burial from Czulice indicating elements of the Hunnic culture. Individual I, aged 7–9, and Individual II, aged 8–9 with a skull deformation, were both genetically identified as boys. Individual II, who exhibited genetic affinity to present day Asian populations, was equipped with gold and silver items. In contrast, Individual I displayed European ancestry. The application of strontium isotope analysis shed light on the origins of the individuals. Individual I was non-local, while Individual II was identified as a local, but also falling within the range commonly associated with the Pannonian Plain. Stable isotope analysis suggested a diet consisting of inland resources. Through radiocarbon dating, this burial was determined to date back to the years 395–418 CE, making it the earliest grave of its kind discovered in Poland. The analyses have provided new insights into the nature of the relationship between the Huns and the local inhabitants.
Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports, 2024
This article presents a double burial from Czulice indicating elements of the Hunnic culture. Ind... more This article presents a double burial from Czulice indicating elements of the Hunnic culture. Individual I, aged 7–9, and Individual II, aged 8–9 with a skull deformation, were both genetically identified as boys. Individual II, who exhibited genetic affinity to present day Asian populations, was equipped with gold and silver items. In contrast, Individual I displayed European ancestry. The application of strontium isotope analysis shed light on the origins of the individuals. Individual I was non-local, while Individual II was identified as a local, but also falling within the range commonly associated with the Pannonian Plain. Stable isotope analysis suggested a diet consisting of inland resources. Through radiocarbon dating, this burial was determined to date back to the years 395–418 CE, making it the earliest grave of its kind discovered in Poland. The analyses have provided new insights into the nature of the relationship between the Huns and the local inhabitants.
Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports, 2024
This article presents a double burial from Czulice indicating elements of the Hunnic culture. Ind... more This article presents a double burial from Czulice indicating elements of the Hunnic culture. Individual I, aged 7–9, and Individual II, aged 8–9 with a skull deformation, were both genetically identified as boys. Individual II, who exhibited genetic affinity to present day Asian populations, was equipped with gold and silver items. In contrast, Individual I displayed European ancestry. The application of strontium isotope analysis shed light on the origins of the individuals. Individual I was non-local, while Individual II was identified as a local, but also falling within the range commonly associated with the Pannonian Plain. Stable isotope analysis suggested a diet consisting of inland resources. Through radiocarbon dating, this burial was determined to date back to the years 395–418 CE, making it the earliest grave of its kind discovered in Poland. The analyses have provided new insights into the nature of the relationship between the Huns and the local inhabitants.
Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports, 2024
This article presents a double burial from Czulice indicating elements of the Hunnic culture. Ind... more This article presents a double burial from Czulice indicating elements of the Hunnic culture. Individual I, aged 7–9, and Individual II, aged 8–9 with a skull deformation, were both genetically identified as boys. Individual II, who exhibited genetic affinity to present day Asian populations, was equipped with gold and silver items. In contrast, Individual I displayed European ancestry. The application of strontium isotope analysis shed light on the origins of the individuals. Individual I was non-local, while Individual II was identified as a local, but also falling within the range commonly associated with the Pannonian Plain. Stable isotope analysis suggested a diet consisting of inland resources. Through radiocarbon dating, this burial was determined to date back to the years 395–418 CE, making it the earliest grave of its kind discovered in Poland. The analyses have provided new insights into the nature of the relationship between the Huns and the local inhabitants.
Archaeologia Polona 61, Dec 31, 2023
This article provides an overview of landforms that are remnants of military camps created during... more This article provides an overview of landforms that are remnants of military camps created during the formation of the Second Polish Army in the area of Łuków, Międzyrzec Podlaski and Radzyń Podlaski (East Poland) in 1944-1945. These landforms were discovered while conducting surveys for the construction of the S19 expressway and were further investigated for a comprehensive understanding. The focus of this article is on mapping and visualizing these structures and identifying individual military units at the division and regiment levels. The research was conducted using non-destructive prospection methods, utilizing publicly available LiDAR data obtained through the ISOK project, which scanned the Polish area. The identification of military units was based on existing literature, providing a framework for establishing specific connections. However, due to the level of detail in the descriptions, there are cases where clarity is lacking, leaving room for further historical study of the military activities during the discussed period. The article acknowledges that the limited scope necessitates omitting details regarding the internal organization of military structures, their connection to military instructions, and historical records of their construction and use.
Raport Archeologiczny 17, 2022
The archaeological research was carried out in 2016 and 2020 at Wola Więcławska 10 archaeological... more The archaeological research was carried out in 2016 and 2020 at Wola Więcławska 10 archaeological site, Kraków District, in connection with the construction of the S7 expressway. During the survey, 4 archaeological features and 3121 moveable artefacts were found on a battlefield of battle of Kraków from November 1914, related to the military operations involving the armies of the Austro-Hungarian and Russian Empires. These features include a firing trench as well as southward-deviating connecting trenches to structures and a communications trench.
Rocznik Muzeum Górnośląskiego w Bytomiu. Archeologia, 2021
A metal detector survey made in 2022–2021 outside Krzykawka, Olkusz County, focused on a wooded a... more A metal detector survey made in 2022–2021 outside Krzykawka, Olkusz County, focused on a wooded area to the north of that locality and confirmed the location as the site of the Battle of Krzykawka (5 May 1863). The assemblage of 113 finds recovered during this project includes a group of 15 items associated with silver-and-lead mining and smelting, collected from an area of 1 km2: mining hoes, a lead weight and fragments of smelted lead. Confirming the existence in the area of a local silver-and-lead industry going back to the Early Middle Ages, these finds are thought to be associated with a motte-and-bailey at Krzykawka found ca. 0.5 km to the south of the survey site. The production area identified at Krzykawka improves our understanding of a metallurgy centre located on the border between the Silesian and the Lesser Polish voidvodeships.
W latach 2020-2021 przeprowadzono w Krzykawce, pow. olkuski, badania terenowe z wykorzystaniem wykrywaczy metalu, które objęły kompleks leśny na północ od miejscowości. Miały one na celu zweryfikowanie miejsca bitwy pod Krzykawką z 5 maja 1863 roku, które zakończyły się powodzeniem. Łączna liczba odkrytych zabytków wyniosła 113. Wśród nich wyróżniono zbiór 15 zabytków związanych z górnictwem i hutnictwem rud srebra i ołowiu, odkrytych na obszarze 1 km 2 . W zbiorze tym znajdują się dwie kopaczki górnicze, ciężarek ołowiany i fragmenty wytopionego ołowiu. Poświadczają one funkcjonowanie na tym terenie przemysłu już we wczesnym średniowieczu. Są one najpewniej związane z gródkiem stożkowatym w tej miejscowości, zlokalizowanym ok. 0,5 km w kierunku południowym od obszaru badań. Dokonane odkrycie obszaru aktywności tego przemysłu w Krzykawce zwiększyło wiedzę na temat zagłębia hutnictwa zlokalizowanego na pograniczu województwa śląskiego i małopolskiego.
Sprawozdania Archeologiczne 74/1, Dec 21, 2022
We know that on the Polish territories that belonged to Austrian and Russian Empires, from the se... more We know that on the Polish territories that belonged to Austrian and Russian Empires, from the second part of the 18th till the 19th centuries, gunflint workshops were operating. One of the workshop centres were situated in the Kraków region (southern Poland) and others were located in the regions of Ivano-Frankivsk (Ukraine, former Austrian monarchy) and Kremenets (Ukraine, former Russian monarchy). The number of workshops, the quantity of products and their export gave them significance on a European scale. We used several methods to preliminary investigate the area near Kraków using LiDAR and field verification. We analysis three modern flint mines in this region – Zelków, Karniowice and Mników which have preserved anthropogenic relief and well-preserved flint workshops on the surface. Flints obtained during field verification (studies included a setsof cores and technological blanks) were analyzed. Our efforts allowed us to attempt to recreate the chaîne opératoire for Polish gunflint workshops as well to determine differences between particular sites.
Raport 16, 2021
In the years 2016-2020, the General Directorate for National Roads and Motorways commissioned an ... more In the years 2016-2020, the General Directorate for National Roads and Motorways commissioned an archaeological survey of site Zalesie 1, Kraków District, Iwanowice Commune, in connection with the construction of the S7 expressway. During the survey, 130 archaeological features and 624 artefacts were found, related to the November 1914 military operations involving the armies of Austro-Hungary and the Russian Empire. The survey revealed that the unearthed field defences were built by the Russian army as a rear defence position to defend their positions located in Zalesie and Goszczański Forest from the west, at the same time serving as a back-up for the assault positions readied for the prospective siege of the Kraków Fortress. The results of the survey enabled the reconstruction and broadened the knowledge the Battle of Kraków, as well as allowed partial reconstruction of the design of field fortifications. Discovered personal items, war trophies, and regular military equipment, both damaged and modified, give an insight into many aspects of the daily life of the troopers operating in the area.
Kartki z dziejów igołomskiego powiśla, 2021
The study presents a description of the theatre of war operations on the left bank of the Vistula... more The study presents a description of the theatre of war operations on the left bank of the Vistula River, on the eastern foreground of the Austro-Hungarian Kraków Fortress during the Great War, later called World War I. The fighting took place in the area of the former Russian partition, on November 16–25, 1914 and December 2–6, 1914. They were fought in the area occupied from August 6, 1914 by Austria-Hungary after the declaration of war on Russia. In historiography, these fights are called the Battle of Kraków. It was aimed at stopping the Russian offensive heading west and preventing the capture of the Kraków Fortress and stopping the further march of Russian army on Silesia, Bohemia and Berlin. The result of these actions was the military success of the Austro-Hungarian army, breaking the front and pushing the Russian troops eastwards, paid for with great personal losses on both sides and the destruction of local infrastructure. The testimonies of these events are war graves and cemeteries located in the battlefields, as well as numerous finds – remains of battles.
W opracowaniu przedstawiono opis teatru działań wojennych na lewobrzeżu Wisły, na wschodnim przedpolu austro-węgierskiej Twierdzy Kraków podczas Wielkiej Wojny, nazwanej później I wojną światową. Walki rozgrywały się na terenie byłego zaboru rosyjskiego, w dniach 16–25 listopada 1914 roku oraz 2–6 grudnia 1914 r. Toczono je na obszarze zajętym 6 sierpnia 1914 r. przez Austro-Węgry po wypowiedzeniu Rosji wojny. W historiografii walki te noszą nazwę Bitwy Krakowskiej. Miała ona na celu zatrzymanie ofensywy rosyjskiej prącej ku zachodowi i uniemożliwienie zdobycia Twierdzy Kraków oraz powstrzymanie dalszego marszu armii rosyjskiej na Śląsk, Czechy i Berlin. Rezultatem tych działań był sukces militarny wojsk austro-węgierskich, przełamanie frontu i odepchnięcie wojsk rosyjskich ku wschodowi, okupiony bardzo dużymi stratami osobowymi obu stron i zniszczeniami lokalnej infrastruktury. Świadectwem tych wydarzeń są groby i cmentarze wojenne znajdujące się na terenach pól bitewnych oraz liczne znaleziska – pozostałości po toczonych walkach.
Keeping Archaeology Together. International Online Conference 2021, Jun 18, 2021
Bitwa krakowska rozegrała się podczas I wojny światowej na północnym przedpolu Twierdzy Kraków. W... more Bitwa krakowska rozegrała się podczas I wojny światowej na północnym przedpolu Twierdzy Kraków. Walki na tym odcinku frontu trwały w dniach 16-25 listopada 1914 roku angażując armię austro-węgierską i rosyjską. Miały one za zadanie uniemożliwienie zdobycia Krakowa przez wojska rosyjskie przy jednoczesnym zatrzymaniu ich ofensywy. Po sukcesie Cesarstwa Austro-Węgier, działania zbrojne przesunięto na prawobrzeże Wisły, na południe od Twierdzy. Przełamanie frontu i rozpoczęcie kontrofensywy przeciwko armii rosyjskiej doprowadziło w konsekwencji do odzyskania terenów Galicji.
Działania zbrojne prowadzone w rejonie Krakowa znajdują odzwierciedlenie w źródłach historycznych. Prowadzone na tym obszarze badania archeologiczne znacząco wzbogaciły obraz tych wydarzeń potwierdzając i uzupełniając dotychczasowe ustalenia. Przeprowadzono analizę stanowisk w rejonie miejscowości Goszcza, które zostały zarejestrowane i zweryfikowane w ramach prospekcji terenowych, badań powierzchniowych, badań geofizycznych i badań wykopaliskowych. Objęła ona miejscowości: Goszcza, Marszowice, Sadowie i Zalesie. Na stanowiska te składały się zarówno fortyfikacje polowe, w części przypadków z zachowanymi formami terenowymi, pole bitwy, jak i mogiły oraz cmentarze wojenne. Analiza licznych zabytków ruchomych, odkrytych w wyniku badań powierzchniowych i wykopaliskowych, umożliwiła odtworzenie wykorzystanego uzbrojenia i wyposażenia żołnierzy, jak również konstrukcji fortyfikacji polowych, przyczyniając się do wskazania ich atrybucji. Przełożyło się to na rekonstrukcję przebiegu walk rozgrywających się w listopadzie 1914 roku, zwiększając wiedzę na temat tej kluczowej bitwy.
Kartki z dziejów igołomskiego powiśla, 2020
The study presents a description of the theatre of war operations on the left bank of the Vistula... more The study presents a description of the theatre of war operations on the left bank of the Vistula River, on the eastern foreground of the Austro-Hungarian Kraków Fortress during the Great War, later called World War I. The fighting took place in the area of the former Russian partition, on November 16–25, 1914 and December 2–6, 1914. They were fought in the area occupied from August 6, 1914 by Austria-Hungary after the declaration of war on Russia. In historiography, these fights are called the Battle of Kraków. It was aimed at stopping the Russian offensive heading west and preventing the capture of the Kraków Fortress and stopping the further march of Russian army on Silesia, Bohemia and Berlin. The result of these actions was the military success of the Austro-Hungarian army, breaking the front and pushing the Russian troops eastwards, paid for with great personal losses on both sides and the destruction of local infrastructure. The testimonies of these events are war graves and cemeteries located in the battlefields, as well as numerous finds – remains of battles.
Sprawozdania Archeologiczne 72/2, 2020
This article presents the archaeological remains of World War I that were discovered in 2016 at t... more This article presents the archaeological remains of World War I that were discovered in 2016 at the multicultural site Sadowie-Kielnik 1, Kraków district. The fights that broke out there were part of the Battle of Kraków, which took place between November 16-25, 1914. The parties to the conflict were the armies of the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy and the Russian Empire. The consequence of this battle was the halting of the attack of the Russian Army towards the west, which resulted in pushing them out of Galicia. A collection of 145 artefacts related to both armies was analysed. Additionally, archaeological features – field fortifications – were interpreted as well. This helped to explain their strategic function and to determine which of the two armies built them. It was also possible to determine the date of their construction and the time during which these fortifications were occupied by the army.
Konferencja Krzemień jurajski w pradziejach, Kraków, 28-30 września 2017 r., 2017
Spośród licznych skał krzemionkowych występujących na terytorium naszego kraju jedynie jurajskie ... more Spośród licznych skał krzemionkowych występujących na terytorium naszego kraju jedynie jurajskie krzemienie z Jury Krakowsko-Częstochowskiej wykorzystywane były na większą skalę do produkcji skałek pistoletowych i karabinowych. Tylko one posiadają bowiem wystarczająco dobre właściwości krzeszące, niezbędne w przypadku zamków skałkowych. Choć już ponad pół wieku temu B. Ginter i S. Kowalski w swym klasycznym opracowaniu dotyczącym skałkarstwa z okolic Krakowa wskazywali Zelków, gm. Zabierzów, jako jeden z ośrodków tego rzemiosła, to przez dziesięciolecia nie mógł on doczekać się systematycznych badań. Zainteresowanie pozostałościami nowożytnego górnictwa krzemieni rozbudziły dopiero nowe możliwości technologiczne – pojawienie się lotniczego skanowania laserowego (ALS, LiDAR) pozwalającego precyzyjnie obrazować rzeźbę terenu także na terenach leśnych.
Korzystając z tej metody zlokalizowano, precyzyjnie zobrazowano i przeanalizowano trzy punkty nowożytnej eksploatacji krzemienia jurajskiego: Zelków i Karniowice, gm. Zabierzów, oraz Mników, gm. Liszki. Wszystkie one posiadają bardzo dobrze zachowaną antropogeniczną rzeźbę nakopalnianą oraz liczne pracowanie krzemieniarskie na powierzchni. Co niezwykle interesujące, pod względem rzeźby stanowiska te różnią się między sobą, a w parze z tymi odmiennościami idzie także zróżnicowanie stosowanych na ich obszarze technologii krzemieniarskich. Można domniemywać, że odmienności te odzwierciedlają zróżnicowanie chronologiczne stanowisk.
Krzysztofory 36, 2018
The Flintlock Phenomenon. The Gunflints from Wawel Hill as a Reflection of Gunflint Production in... more The Flintlock Phenomenon. The Gunflints from Wawel Hill as a Reflection of Gunflint Production in the Austrian Monarchy
The flintlock developed over centuries-long evolution of the firearms, starting from the onset of the 13th century. Originally the matchlock came into use, followed by the more advanced serpentine lock, until the first wheel-lock that generated sparks was invented. The wheel-lock mechanism drew on the possibility to generate sparks by iron sulphide (pyrite) coming into contact with a rotating steel wheel. The snaplocks and the flintlocks that superseded these mechanisms in the 16th century already incorporated flint striking a steel plate (flint and steel mechanism) and were in broad use in the armies until the first half of the 19th century and the invention of the caplock. The properly processed flint used in such locks – the gunflint – is a perfect source and carrier of information. It points to the region where it was produced, to the army that had it in its equipment, and to the type of weapon for which it was intended. It is also possible to determine whether the gunflint actually helped fire a shot.
The paper outlines the methods and techniques of gunflint production, reflecting on the degree of organization of the flint knapping shop with all its facilities. A reference has been made to the centres of gunflint production – the workshops and the flint mining sites, which can be linked with particular towns and even pinpointed in geographical terms.
Consideration for the structural features of the flintlock, the morphometric characteristics of gunflints, and the diversity of flint outcrops and workshops in terms of the raw material and the administrative setting has prompted a presentation and an analysis of a group of historic objects. The collection under analysis comprises seven gunflints and one fire flint for fire steel, all acquired during archaeological research on Wawel Hill. They are most probably related to the stay of military men from the Austrian army in that location. Another historic object discussed in the paper is a cavalry pistol model XIII – a symbol of the Napoleonic Wars and one of the most effective pistols in that system. The objects in question have been on display at the permanent exhibition In the Shadow of Krak’s Mound at the Podgórze Museum. Their presentation refers to the production of gunflints in that location in the 18th and 19th centuries and the extraction of flint for that purpose from the abundant local deposits.
12th International Symposium on Knappable Materials. Program. Abstracts. Field Guide, 2019
The catchment-area of the Dniester and Zlota Lypa rivers was known as one of the largest gunflint... more The catchment-area of the Dniester and Zlota Lypa rivers was known as one of the largest gunflint manufacture centres in Europe in the 18th and 19th centuries. This fact has attracted the attention of archaeologists because of the local rich deposits of Turonian flint. First traces of their prehistoric exploitation were discovered in the 1930s by the Ukrainian researcher J. Polanskij on the Zbuczi range in the village of Lazarivka, Tarnopol oblast. In the autumn of 1940, S. Krukowski carried out test trenches and made 1:1000 scale map of the site. These studies have never been published. Manuscripts by S. Krukowski has been discovered in recent years in Lviv and Warsaw. They show that the "Zbuczi" site was used both in prehistory and in modern times.
In the eighties of the last century, W. Konoplja researched on the occurrence and prehistoric use of local flints. In the village of Bukivna, Ivano-Frankivsk oblast, he discovered a flint exploitation site. Although initially considered as Neolithic, it turned out to be a remnant of modern gunflint activity.
In May of this year, the authors attempted a surface survey of both sites. As a result, we managed to find a forgotten mine in the village of Lazarivka. The original anthropogenic relief of the site is well preserved. Unfortunately, advanced vegetation prevented from obtaining of distinctive flint materials. In the village of Bukivna in the vicinity of the site published by W. Konoplja, a mining site was located with an anthropogenic relief and flint workshops dated to the Neolithic period.
Random verification survey carried out this year suggest that the catchment-area of upper Dniester and Zolota Lypa rivers has extremely numerous and well-preserved remains of ancient flint exploitation which require the undertaking of systematic research in the future.
12th International Symposium on Knappable Materials. Program. Abstracts. Field Guide, 2019
The gunflint manufacturing center in Nyzhniv (Nizniow in historical documents) was already descri... more The gunflint manufacturing center in Nyzhniv (Nizniow in historical documents) was already described by Balthasar Hacquet and Marcel de Serres at the end of the 18th century and at the beginning of the 19th century. Although the sites they recall were visited by archaeologists a hundred years ago, they never sparked further interest and finally fell into oblivion. Their modern research has been initiated by a scientific trip of M. and G. Lazarovici, I. Kochkin, T. Tkachuk and G. Trnka in 2006. A local regionalist and collector, Dmytro Lupypsiv, guided the group to the Lysinka Hill at the southern periphery of Nyzhniv where the traces of raw material exploitation were preserved. During the following seasons, the attention of Viennese researchers focused on searching for the most famous mines in the region - the Lichostivne Hill (Brandl and Trnka - 2013 and 2018).
In May of this year, a Polish team joined the research concerning the Galician gunflints production region. During the short surface prospection, the current state of the Lysinka “pingen” (quarrying pits) was verified. Also a small sample of characteristic materials from flint workshops was obtained. They allow us to recreate the full chaîne opératoire of this gunflint industry, which represents the most important supplier for the Austrian army during the Napoleonic wars. Raw material analysis will also be conducted to characterize and “fingerprint” the Turonian flint used at this locale. For this task, the Multi Layered Chert Sourcing Approach, which has successfully been used for the characterization and provenance studies of e.g. Scandinavian flint, will be applied.
Sprawozdania Archeologiczne 76/2, 2024
The paper discusses a previously unknown earthwork of a fortification of the First World War foun... more The paper discusses a previously unknown earthwork of a fortification of the First World War found in the investigation of a barrow at Site 3 in Prawda in Raciborowice (Kraków district). The discovery consisted of a fortified strongpoint for all around defence enclosing the top of the barrow. It was built by the Russian troops during the offensive on Kraków from November to December 1914, after the strategic retreat of the Austro-Hungarian army towards the south, under the cover of the fortress artillery, ending the Battle of Kraków. The paper fills the gap in knowledge about the combat taking place between the Battle of Kraków and the battles on the right bank of the Vistula River, enabling the reconstruction of those events and giving insight into the material culture of the soldiers participating in them.
Notae Numismaticae – Zapiski Numizmatyczne 18, 2023
EN: The “Sztygarka” Municipal Museum in Dąbrowa Górnicza houses a collection of early medieval we... more EN: The “Sztygarka” Municipal Museum in Dąbrowa Górnicza houses a collection of early medieval weights and lead objects recently discovered in the border area of Dąbrowa Górnicza, Chruszczobród and Chruszczobród-Piaski in Zawiercie district. They are discussed here for the first time. The paper presents the current state of research on silver and lead smelting in the early Middle Ages in the area now at the borderlands of Upper Silesia and Lesser Poland and offers a broader perspective on early medieval lead weights. As a result of the analysis of the artefacts, it has been proposed to introduce a new type of weights to the typology currently in use. Attention is also drawn to a technological aspect previously unreported in the literature, namely a hole in one of the weights for fixing a stabiliser for the core of a casting mould. Based on morphometric features and deformations of the surface, it is also suggested that one of the artefacts may have been used as a metalworking hammer. The results of the analysis carried out make it possible to discuss the collection against the backdrop of other recent discoveries of lead weights in Poland and to present the archaeological context and diverse nature of this category of sources. /
PL: W Muzeum Miejskim „Sztygarka” w Dąbrowie Górniczej znajduje się zbiór ciężarków i wyrobów ołowianych datowanych na wczesne średniowiecze. Zostały one odkryte w ostatnim czasie na pograniczu Dąbrowy Górniczej, Chruszczobrodu i Chruszczobrodu-Piasków, pow. zawierciański, numery arkuszy AZP 94-50 i 95-50. Niniejszy artykuł jest pierwszą publikacją poświęconą temu zbiorowi wyrobów. Przedstawiono w nim aktualny stan badań nad hutnictwem srebra i ołowiu we wczesnym średniowieczu na terenie obecnego pogranicza Górnego Śląska i Małopolski oraz tło problematyki ciężarków ołowianych. W wyniku przeprowadzonej analizy zabytków scharakteryzowano ten zbiór i zaproponowano wprowadzenie do wykorzystywanej typologii nowej odmiany typu ciężarków. Zwrócono także uwagę na nieporuszaną dotychczas w literaturze cechę technologiczną – otwór w jednym z ciężarków służący do mocowania rdzenia formy odlewniczej. Ponadto na podstawie poczynionych obserwacji cech morfometrycznych oraz odkształceń powstałych na powierzchni jednego z ciężarków wskazano na możliwość wykorzystywania go jako młotka do obróbki metalu. Wyniki przeprowadzonej analizy posłużyły do prezentacji całego zbioru na tle innych nowych odkryć ciężarków ołowianych w Polsce, ukazując ich kontekst archeologiczny i wskazując na jego zróżnicowany charakter.
Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports, 2024
This article presents a double burial from Czulice indicating elements of the Hunnic culture. Ind... more This article presents a double burial from Czulice indicating elements of the Hunnic culture. Individual I, aged 7–9, and Individual II, aged 8–9 with a skull deformation, were both genetically identified as boys. Individual II, who exhibited genetic affinity to present day Asian populations, was equipped with gold and silver items. In contrast, Individual I displayed European ancestry. The application of strontium isotope analysis shed light on the origins of the individuals. Individual I was non-local, while Individual II was identified as a local, but also falling within the range commonly associated with the Pannonian Plain. Stable isotope analysis suggested a diet consisting of inland resources. Through radiocarbon dating, this burial was determined to date back to the years 395–418 CE, making it the earliest grave of its kind discovered in Poland. The analyses have provided new insights into the nature of the relationship between the Huns and the local inhabitants.
Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports, 2024
This article presents a double burial from Czulice indicating elements of the Hunnic culture. Ind... more This article presents a double burial from Czulice indicating elements of the Hunnic culture. Individual I, aged 7–9, and Individual II, aged 8–9 with a skull deformation, were both genetically identified as boys. Individual II, who exhibited genetic affinity to present day Asian populations, was equipped with gold and silver items. In contrast, Individual I displayed European ancestry. The application of strontium isotope analysis shed light on the origins of the individuals. Individual I was non-local, while Individual II was identified as a local, but also falling within the range commonly associated with the Pannonian Plain. Stable isotope analysis suggested a diet consisting of inland resources. Through radiocarbon dating, this burial was determined to date back to the years 395–418 CE, making it the earliest grave of its kind discovered in Poland. The analyses have provided new insights into the nature of the relationship between the Huns and the local inhabitants.
Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports, 2024
This article presents a double burial from Czulice indicating elements of the Hunnic culture. Ind... more This article presents a double burial from Czulice indicating elements of the Hunnic culture. Individual I, aged 7–9, and Individual II, aged 8–9 with a skull deformation, were both genetically identified as boys. Individual II, who exhibited genetic affinity to present day Asian populations, was equipped with gold and silver items. In contrast, Individual I displayed European ancestry. The application of strontium isotope analysis shed light on the origins of the individuals. Individual I was non-local, while Individual II was identified as a local, but also falling within the range commonly associated with the Pannonian Plain. Stable isotope analysis suggested a diet consisting of inland resources. Through radiocarbon dating, this burial was determined to date back to the years 395–418 CE, making it the earliest grave of its kind discovered in Poland. The analyses have provided new insights into the nature of the relationship between the Huns and the local inhabitants.
Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports, 2024
This article presents a double burial from Czulice indicating elements of the Hunnic culture. Ind... more This article presents a double burial from Czulice indicating elements of the Hunnic culture. Individual I, aged 7–9, and Individual II, aged 8–9 with a skull deformation, were both genetically identified as boys. Individual II, who exhibited genetic affinity to present day Asian populations, was equipped with gold and silver items. In contrast, Individual I displayed European ancestry. The application of strontium isotope analysis shed light on the origins of the individuals. Individual I was non-local, while Individual II was identified as a local, but also falling within the range commonly associated with the Pannonian Plain. Stable isotope analysis suggested a diet consisting of inland resources. Through radiocarbon dating, this burial was determined to date back to the years 395–418 CE, making it the earliest grave of its kind discovered in Poland. The analyses have provided new insights into the nature of the relationship between the Huns and the local inhabitants.
Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports, 2024
This article presents a double burial from Czulice indicating elements of the Hunnic culture. Ind... more This article presents a double burial from Czulice indicating elements of the Hunnic culture. Individual I, aged 7–9, and Individual II, aged 8–9 with a skull deformation, were both genetically identified as boys. Individual II, who exhibited genetic affinity to present day Asian populations, was equipped with gold and silver items. In contrast, Individual I displayed European ancestry. The application of strontium isotope analysis shed light on the origins of the individuals. Individual I was non-local, while Individual II was identified as a local, but also falling within the range commonly associated with the Pannonian Plain. Stable isotope analysis suggested a diet consisting of inland resources. Through radiocarbon dating, this burial was determined to date back to the years 395–418 CE, making it the earliest grave of its kind discovered in Poland. The analyses have provided new insights into the nature of the relationship between the Huns and the local inhabitants.
Archaeologia Polona 61, Dec 31, 2023
This article provides an overview of landforms that are remnants of military camps created during... more This article provides an overview of landforms that are remnants of military camps created during the formation of the Second Polish Army in the area of Łuków, Międzyrzec Podlaski and Radzyń Podlaski (East Poland) in 1944-1945. These landforms were discovered while conducting surveys for the construction of the S19 expressway and were further investigated for a comprehensive understanding. The focus of this article is on mapping and visualizing these structures and identifying individual military units at the division and regiment levels. The research was conducted using non-destructive prospection methods, utilizing publicly available LiDAR data obtained through the ISOK project, which scanned the Polish area. The identification of military units was based on existing literature, providing a framework for establishing specific connections. However, due to the level of detail in the descriptions, there are cases where clarity is lacking, leaving room for further historical study of the military activities during the discussed period. The article acknowledges that the limited scope necessitates omitting details regarding the internal organization of military structures, their connection to military instructions, and historical records of their construction and use.
Raport Archeologiczny 17, 2022
The archaeological research was carried out in 2016 and 2020 at Wola Więcławska 10 archaeological... more The archaeological research was carried out in 2016 and 2020 at Wola Więcławska 10 archaeological site, Kraków District, in connection with the construction of the S7 expressway. During the survey, 4 archaeological features and 3121 moveable artefacts were found on a battlefield of battle of Kraków from November 1914, related to the military operations involving the armies of the Austro-Hungarian and Russian Empires. These features include a firing trench as well as southward-deviating connecting trenches to structures and a communications trench.
Rocznik Muzeum Górnośląskiego w Bytomiu. Archeologia, 2021
A metal detector survey made in 2022–2021 outside Krzykawka, Olkusz County, focused on a wooded a... more A metal detector survey made in 2022–2021 outside Krzykawka, Olkusz County, focused on a wooded area to the north of that locality and confirmed the location as the site of the Battle of Krzykawka (5 May 1863). The assemblage of 113 finds recovered during this project includes a group of 15 items associated with silver-and-lead mining and smelting, collected from an area of 1 km2: mining hoes, a lead weight and fragments of smelted lead. Confirming the existence in the area of a local silver-and-lead industry going back to the Early Middle Ages, these finds are thought to be associated with a motte-and-bailey at Krzykawka found ca. 0.5 km to the south of the survey site. The production area identified at Krzykawka improves our understanding of a metallurgy centre located on the border between the Silesian and the Lesser Polish voidvodeships.
W latach 2020-2021 przeprowadzono w Krzykawce, pow. olkuski, badania terenowe z wykorzystaniem wykrywaczy metalu, które objęły kompleks leśny na północ od miejscowości. Miały one na celu zweryfikowanie miejsca bitwy pod Krzykawką z 5 maja 1863 roku, które zakończyły się powodzeniem. Łączna liczba odkrytych zabytków wyniosła 113. Wśród nich wyróżniono zbiór 15 zabytków związanych z górnictwem i hutnictwem rud srebra i ołowiu, odkrytych na obszarze 1 km 2 . W zbiorze tym znajdują się dwie kopaczki górnicze, ciężarek ołowiany i fragmenty wytopionego ołowiu. Poświadczają one funkcjonowanie na tym terenie przemysłu już we wczesnym średniowieczu. Są one najpewniej związane z gródkiem stożkowatym w tej miejscowości, zlokalizowanym ok. 0,5 km w kierunku południowym od obszaru badań. Dokonane odkrycie obszaru aktywności tego przemysłu w Krzykawce zwiększyło wiedzę na temat zagłębia hutnictwa zlokalizowanego na pograniczu województwa śląskiego i małopolskiego.
Sprawozdania Archeologiczne 74/1, Dec 21, 2022
We know that on the Polish territories that belonged to Austrian and Russian Empires, from the se... more We know that on the Polish territories that belonged to Austrian and Russian Empires, from the second part of the 18th till the 19th centuries, gunflint workshops were operating. One of the workshop centres were situated in the Kraków region (southern Poland) and others were located in the regions of Ivano-Frankivsk (Ukraine, former Austrian monarchy) and Kremenets (Ukraine, former Russian monarchy). The number of workshops, the quantity of products and their export gave them significance on a European scale. We used several methods to preliminary investigate the area near Kraków using LiDAR and field verification. We analysis three modern flint mines in this region – Zelków, Karniowice and Mników which have preserved anthropogenic relief and well-preserved flint workshops on the surface. Flints obtained during field verification (studies included a setsof cores and technological blanks) were analyzed. Our efforts allowed us to attempt to recreate the chaîne opératoire for Polish gunflint workshops as well to determine differences between particular sites.
Raport 16, 2021
In the years 2016-2020, the General Directorate for National Roads and Motorways commissioned an ... more In the years 2016-2020, the General Directorate for National Roads and Motorways commissioned an archaeological survey of site Zalesie 1, Kraków District, Iwanowice Commune, in connection with the construction of the S7 expressway. During the survey, 130 archaeological features and 624 artefacts were found, related to the November 1914 military operations involving the armies of Austro-Hungary and the Russian Empire. The survey revealed that the unearthed field defences were built by the Russian army as a rear defence position to defend their positions located in Zalesie and Goszczański Forest from the west, at the same time serving as a back-up for the assault positions readied for the prospective siege of the Kraków Fortress. The results of the survey enabled the reconstruction and broadened the knowledge the Battle of Kraków, as well as allowed partial reconstruction of the design of field fortifications. Discovered personal items, war trophies, and regular military equipment, both damaged and modified, give an insight into many aspects of the daily life of the troopers operating in the area.
Kartki z dziejów igołomskiego powiśla, 2021
The study presents a description of the theatre of war operations on the left bank of the Vistula... more The study presents a description of the theatre of war operations on the left bank of the Vistula River, on the eastern foreground of the Austro-Hungarian Kraków Fortress during the Great War, later called World War I. The fighting took place in the area of the former Russian partition, on November 16–25, 1914 and December 2–6, 1914. They were fought in the area occupied from August 6, 1914 by Austria-Hungary after the declaration of war on Russia. In historiography, these fights are called the Battle of Kraków. It was aimed at stopping the Russian offensive heading west and preventing the capture of the Kraków Fortress and stopping the further march of Russian army on Silesia, Bohemia and Berlin. The result of these actions was the military success of the Austro-Hungarian army, breaking the front and pushing the Russian troops eastwards, paid for with great personal losses on both sides and the destruction of local infrastructure. The testimonies of these events are war graves and cemeteries located in the battlefields, as well as numerous finds – remains of battles.
W opracowaniu przedstawiono opis teatru działań wojennych na lewobrzeżu Wisły, na wschodnim przedpolu austro-węgierskiej Twierdzy Kraków podczas Wielkiej Wojny, nazwanej później I wojną światową. Walki rozgrywały się na terenie byłego zaboru rosyjskiego, w dniach 16–25 listopada 1914 roku oraz 2–6 grudnia 1914 r. Toczono je na obszarze zajętym 6 sierpnia 1914 r. przez Austro-Węgry po wypowiedzeniu Rosji wojny. W historiografii walki te noszą nazwę Bitwy Krakowskiej. Miała ona na celu zatrzymanie ofensywy rosyjskiej prącej ku zachodowi i uniemożliwienie zdobycia Twierdzy Kraków oraz powstrzymanie dalszego marszu armii rosyjskiej na Śląsk, Czechy i Berlin. Rezultatem tych działań był sukces militarny wojsk austro-węgierskich, przełamanie frontu i odepchnięcie wojsk rosyjskich ku wschodowi, okupiony bardzo dużymi stratami osobowymi obu stron i zniszczeniami lokalnej infrastruktury. Świadectwem tych wydarzeń są groby i cmentarze wojenne znajdujące się na terenach pól bitewnych oraz liczne znaleziska – pozostałości po toczonych walkach.
Keeping Archaeology Together. International Online Conference 2021, Jun 18, 2021
Bitwa krakowska rozegrała się podczas I wojny światowej na północnym przedpolu Twierdzy Kraków. W... more Bitwa krakowska rozegrała się podczas I wojny światowej na północnym przedpolu Twierdzy Kraków. Walki na tym odcinku frontu trwały w dniach 16-25 listopada 1914 roku angażując armię austro-węgierską i rosyjską. Miały one za zadanie uniemożliwienie zdobycia Krakowa przez wojska rosyjskie przy jednoczesnym zatrzymaniu ich ofensywy. Po sukcesie Cesarstwa Austro-Węgier, działania zbrojne przesunięto na prawobrzeże Wisły, na południe od Twierdzy. Przełamanie frontu i rozpoczęcie kontrofensywy przeciwko armii rosyjskiej doprowadziło w konsekwencji do odzyskania terenów Galicji.
Działania zbrojne prowadzone w rejonie Krakowa znajdują odzwierciedlenie w źródłach historycznych. Prowadzone na tym obszarze badania archeologiczne znacząco wzbogaciły obraz tych wydarzeń potwierdzając i uzupełniając dotychczasowe ustalenia. Przeprowadzono analizę stanowisk w rejonie miejscowości Goszcza, które zostały zarejestrowane i zweryfikowane w ramach prospekcji terenowych, badań powierzchniowych, badań geofizycznych i badań wykopaliskowych. Objęła ona miejscowości: Goszcza, Marszowice, Sadowie i Zalesie. Na stanowiska te składały się zarówno fortyfikacje polowe, w części przypadków z zachowanymi formami terenowymi, pole bitwy, jak i mogiły oraz cmentarze wojenne. Analiza licznych zabytków ruchomych, odkrytych w wyniku badań powierzchniowych i wykopaliskowych, umożliwiła odtworzenie wykorzystanego uzbrojenia i wyposażenia żołnierzy, jak również konstrukcji fortyfikacji polowych, przyczyniając się do wskazania ich atrybucji. Przełożyło się to na rekonstrukcję przebiegu walk rozgrywających się w listopadzie 1914 roku, zwiększając wiedzę na temat tej kluczowej bitwy.
Kartki z dziejów igołomskiego powiśla, 2020
The study presents a description of the theatre of war operations on the left bank of the Vistula... more The study presents a description of the theatre of war operations on the left bank of the Vistula River, on the eastern foreground of the Austro-Hungarian Kraków Fortress during the Great War, later called World War I. The fighting took place in the area of the former Russian partition, on November 16–25, 1914 and December 2–6, 1914. They were fought in the area occupied from August 6, 1914 by Austria-Hungary after the declaration of war on Russia. In historiography, these fights are called the Battle of Kraków. It was aimed at stopping the Russian offensive heading west and preventing the capture of the Kraków Fortress and stopping the further march of Russian army on Silesia, Bohemia and Berlin. The result of these actions was the military success of the Austro-Hungarian army, breaking the front and pushing the Russian troops eastwards, paid for with great personal losses on both sides and the destruction of local infrastructure. The testimonies of these events are war graves and cemeteries located in the battlefields, as well as numerous finds – remains of battles.
Sprawozdania Archeologiczne 72/2, 2020
This article presents the archaeological remains of World War I that were discovered in 2016 at t... more This article presents the archaeological remains of World War I that were discovered in 2016 at the multicultural site Sadowie-Kielnik 1, Kraków district. The fights that broke out there were part of the Battle of Kraków, which took place between November 16-25, 1914. The parties to the conflict were the armies of the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy and the Russian Empire. The consequence of this battle was the halting of the attack of the Russian Army towards the west, which resulted in pushing them out of Galicia. A collection of 145 artefacts related to both armies was analysed. Additionally, archaeological features – field fortifications – were interpreted as well. This helped to explain their strategic function and to determine which of the two armies built them. It was also possible to determine the date of their construction and the time during which these fortifications were occupied by the army.
Konferencja Krzemień jurajski w pradziejach, Kraków, 28-30 września 2017 r., 2017
Spośród licznych skał krzemionkowych występujących na terytorium naszego kraju jedynie jurajskie ... more Spośród licznych skał krzemionkowych występujących na terytorium naszego kraju jedynie jurajskie krzemienie z Jury Krakowsko-Częstochowskiej wykorzystywane były na większą skalę do produkcji skałek pistoletowych i karabinowych. Tylko one posiadają bowiem wystarczająco dobre właściwości krzeszące, niezbędne w przypadku zamków skałkowych. Choć już ponad pół wieku temu B. Ginter i S. Kowalski w swym klasycznym opracowaniu dotyczącym skałkarstwa z okolic Krakowa wskazywali Zelków, gm. Zabierzów, jako jeden z ośrodków tego rzemiosła, to przez dziesięciolecia nie mógł on doczekać się systematycznych badań. Zainteresowanie pozostałościami nowożytnego górnictwa krzemieni rozbudziły dopiero nowe możliwości technologiczne – pojawienie się lotniczego skanowania laserowego (ALS, LiDAR) pozwalającego precyzyjnie obrazować rzeźbę terenu także na terenach leśnych.
Korzystając z tej metody zlokalizowano, precyzyjnie zobrazowano i przeanalizowano trzy punkty nowożytnej eksploatacji krzemienia jurajskiego: Zelków i Karniowice, gm. Zabierzów, oraz Mników, gm. Liszki. Wszystkie one posiadają bardzo dobrze zachowaną antropogeniczną rzeźbę nakopalnianą oraz liczne pracowanie krzemieniarskie na powierzchni. Co niezwykle interesujące, pod względem rzeźby stanowiska te różnią się między sobą, a w parze z tymi odmiennościami idzie także zróżnicowanie stosowanych na ich obszarze technologii krzemieniarskich. Można domniemywać, że odmienności te odzwierciedlają zróżnicowanie chronologiczne stanowisk.
Krzysztofory 36, 2018
The Flintlock Phenomenon. The Gunflints from Wawel Hill as a Reflection of Gunflint Production in... more The Flintlock Phenomenon. The Gunflints from Wawel Hill as a Reflection of Gunflint Production in the Austrian Monarchy
The flintlock developed over centuries-long evolution of the firearms, starting from the onset of the 13th century. Originally the matchlock came into use, followed by the more advanced serpentine lock, until the first wheel-lock that generated sparks was invented. The wheel-lock mechanism drew on the possibility to generate sparks by iron sulphide (pyrite) coming into contact with a rotating steel wheel. The snaplocks and the flintlocks that superseded these mechanisms in the 16th century already incorporated flint striking a steel plate (flint and steel mechanism) and were in broad use in the armies until the first half of the 19th century and the invention of the caplock. The properly processed flint used in such locks – the gunflint – is a perfect source and carrier of information. It points to the region where it was produced, to the army that had it in its equipment, and to the type of weapon for which it was intended. It is also possible to determine whether the gunflint actually helped fire a shot.
The paper outlines the methods and techniques of gunflint production, reflecting on the degree of organization of the flint knapping shop with all its facilities. A reference has been made to the centres of gunflint production – the workshops and the flint mining sites, which can be linked with particular towns and even pinpointed in geographical terms.
Consideration for the structural features of the flintlock, the morphometric characteristics of gunflints, and the diversity of flint outcrops and workshops in terms of the raw material and the administrative setting has prompted a presentation and an analysis of a group of historic objects. The collection under analysis comprises seven gunflints and one fire flint for fire steel, all acquired during archaeological research on Wawel Hill. They are most probably related to the stay of military men from the Austrian army in that location. Another historic object discussed in the paper is a cavalry pistol model XIII – a symbol of the Napoleonic Wars and one of the most effective pistols in that system. The objects in question have been on display at the permanent exhibition In the Shadow of Krak’s Mound at the Podgórze Museum. Their presentation refers to the production of gunflints in that location in the 18th and 19th centuries and the extraction of flint for that purpose from the abundant local deposits.
12th International Symposium on Knappable Materials. Program. Abstracts. Field Guide, 2019
The catchment-area of the Dniester and Zlota Lypa rivers was known as one of the largest gunflint... more The catchment-area of the Dniester and Zlota Lypa rivers was known as one of the largest gunflint manufacture centres in Europe in the 18th and 19th centuries. This fact has attracted the attention of archaeologists because of the local rich deposits of Turonian flint. First traces of their prehistoric exploitation were discovered in the 1930s by the Ukrainian researcher J. Polanskij on the Zbuczi range in the village of Lazarivka, Tarnopol oblast. In the autumn of 1940, S. Krukowski carried out test trenches and made 1:1000 scale map of the site. These studies have never been published. Manuscripts by S. Krukowski has been discovered in recent years in Lviv and Warsaw. They show that the "Zbuczi" site was used both in prehistory and in modern times.
In the eighties of the last century, W. Konoplja researched on the occurrence and prehistoric use of local flints. In the village of Bukivna, Ivano-Frankivsk oblast, he discovered a flint exploitation site. Although initially considered as Neolithic, it turned out to be a remnant of modern gunflint activity.
In May of this year, the authors attempted a surface survey of both sites. As a result, we managed to find a forgotten mine in the village of Lazarivka. The original anthropogenic relief of the site is well preserved. Unfortunately, advanced vegetation prevented from obtaining of distinctive flint materials. In the village of Bukivna in the vicinity of the site published by W. Konoplja, a mining site was located with an anthropogenic relief and flint workshops dated to the Neolithic period.
Random verification survey carried out this year suggest that the catchment-area of upper Dniester and Zolota Lypa rivers has extremely numerous and well-preserved remains of ancient flint exploitation which require the undertaking of systematic research in the future.
12th International Symposium on Knappable Materials. Program. Abstracts. Field Guide, 2019
The gunflint manufacturing center in Nyzhniv (Nizniow in historical documents) was already descri... more The gunflint manufacturing center in Nyzhniv (Nizniow in historical documents) was already described by Balthasar Hacquet and Marcel de Serres at the end of the 18th century and at the beginning of the 19th century. Although the sites they recall were visited by archaeologists a hundred years ago, they never sparked further interest and finally fell into oblivion. Their modern research has been initiated by a scientific trip of M. and G. Lazarovici, I. Kochkin, T. Tkachuk and G. Trnka in 2006. A local regionalist and collector, Dmytro Lupypsiv, guided the group to the Lysinka Hill at the southern periphery of Nyzhniv where the traces of raw material exploitation were preserved. During the following seasons, the attention of Viennese researchers focused on searching for the most famous mines in the region - the Lichostivne Hill (Brandl and Trnka - 2013 and 2018).
In May of this year, a Polish team joined the research concerning the Galician gunflints production region. During the short surface prospection, the current state of the Lysinka “pingen” (quarrying pits) was verified. Also a small sample of characteristic materials from flint workshops was obtained. They allow us to recreate the full chaîne opératoire of this gunflint industry, which represents the most important supplier for the Austrian army during the Napoleonic wars. Raw material analysis will also be conducted to characterize and “fingerprint” the Turonian flint used at this locale. For this task, the Multi Layered Chert Sourcing Approach, which has successfully been used for the characterization and provenance studies of e.g. Scandinavian flint, will be applied.